Abstract:

This research seeks to investigate challenges in proverbs translation in Shetani
Msalabani from the original Kikuyu version. The proverbs have been translated
from Ngugi wa Thiongo's Kikuyu novel Caaitani Mutharaba-ini. This study is
aimed as a contribution to the field of translation in related proverbs. This research
has been chosen because proverbs uses metamorphical language and this becomes
a challenge to a translator not used to metaphors. Therefore, we want to know if
the translator has been successful in translating the message of those proverbs from
the original Kikuyu culture to Kiswahili culture. Also, we want to know if the
translated Kikuyu proverbs are acceptable in the recipient Kiswahili culture. This
research has three objectives; first is to investigate how the translator has translated
the message of the proverbs from Kikuyu to Kiswahili language. Second is to
examine some of the challenges that a translator faces when translating proverbs
from one language to the other. Third is to examine strategies employed to tackle
these challenges. This research will be guided by the following questions; firstly,
how has the message been translated from the Kikuyu to Kiswahili in the
proverbs? Two, which are some of the challenges a translator can faces in
translating proverbs from one language to the other? And third, what are the
strategies he can employ to tackle those challenges. This research will be guided
by the cultural translation theory and semantic translation theory. We will employ
qualitative research design that includes design, techniques and measures that do
not produce discrete numerical data. In accordance to the research objectives,
purposive sampling will be used to select a representative sample of 12 proverbs
from the total research data of 137 proverbs. Original proverbs from Kikuyu
culture will be selected and they will be a representative sample of 10% of the total
research data. The research data will be collected by reading texts related with the
research question and objectives and also collecting proverbs related with the
research objectives. The field research will be collected through filling
questionnaires by the research respondents. The data collected will be analyzed
using descriptive method in relation to the research questions, objectives,
theoretical guidelines and research boundaries. The research will be presented in a
descriptive format from the analyzed data